Each time I go out on a ride using a cue sheet I am instantly reminded of how many little accessories are missing from the recumbent world. Many things that work on an upright will easily transfer to bikes like highracers and many other bents. Some however, don't work at all. Handlebar mounted cue sheet holders fall into that category.
I have seen bent riders use all types of tricks including taping a ziplock bag to the frame, rubber bands to hold it on the thigh and a clever back of the wrist mounted method.
I prefer the cue sheet right in front of me. In the past I have used a binder clip on the cables to hold up my cue sheet. Easy and functional but it blocks the view a bit and I wind up leaning to the right to see around the sheet.
I remember seeing online a cue sheet holder on a bent using a clear plastic tube. I thought that was a great idea and put some thought into making a bar top mounted cue sheet holder using clear platic tubing.
Here is the list of materials;
1 - 4' T8 Tube Guard with Ends
1 - pack of Velcro organinzing ties (can you have too many
1 - 18" sticky back Velcro Pack (two 18 strips)
1 - 2 pack of 7/8" Plastic Hole Plugs
1 - Gel type glue for plastic
Total ~$15 at Lowes.
Here is a sample cue sheet and the T8 Tube Guard.
The tube guard is a poly acrylic material, many plastic sunglass lenses are of the same material. These tubes are meant to hold color filters and protect from shattered glass on flourescent lights. Be sure to get the T8, the larger size is almost too big but you might prefer it. I thought it would obstruct too much of my view of the road.
The next step was to roll up the cue sheet and place it in one end of the tube. Then hold it up against the handlebar to mark the length with a Sharpie.
The picture is a little dark but you should get the idea.
Now the next trick is cutting the tubing. It's best to make an initial cut about six inches away from your mark. This gets rid of excess tube and allows you to get a feel for the final cut at the mark. I used large ktichen shears and think they will work best. Be careful not to crimp the tubing as you cut. Sharp large shears should prevent this from happening. Remember, you have some extra tube if you mess up. Just mark out another section from the excess tubing from earlier.
Here is the tube cut with a cue sheet inside and it's plastic ends stuffed on. The Velcro and plugs are next.
Here I removed the end caps and glued the plugs in place. I will use the plugs to keep rain out but ride most of the time with them in the gear bag but close at hand.
Next I cut four small pieces of Velcro and stuck two of them on the tube ends at opposite sides. I did this to help prevent slipping and to make mounting on the bike easier. The holder is now ready for the bike.
Two Velcro wraps that touch the glued on Velcro and then wrap around the bar hold the tube in place. Clean and simple the cue sheet holder is ready to ride.
It took me about 20 minutes to finish the project. The holder does not change my view of the road as far as I can tell. I can see about 6 cues at a time before I need to give the tube a slight roll. Changing the sheet position is easy, you just pull out the sheet and adjust the rolled sheet to what you want to see next and stick it back in the tube.
I have seen bent riders use all types of tricks including taping a ziplock bag to the frame, rubber bands to hold it on the thigh and a clever back of the wrist mounted method.
I prefer the cue sheet right in front of me. In the past I have used a binder clip on the cables to hold up my cue sheet. Easy and functional but it blocks the view a bit and I wind up leaning to the right to see around the sheet.
I remember seeing online a cue sheet holder on a bent using a clear plastic tube. I thought that was a great idea and put some thought into making a bar top mounted cue sheet holder using clear platic tubing.
Here is the list of materials;
1 - 4' T8 Tube Guard with Ends
1 - pack of Velcro organinzing ties (can you have too many
1 - 18" sticky back Velcro Pack (two 18 strips)
1 - 2 pack of 7/8" Plastic Hole Plugs
1 - Gel type glue for plastic
Total ~$15 at Lowes.
Here is a sample cue sheet and the T8 Tube Guard.
The tube guard is a poly acrylic material, many plastic sunglass lenses are of the same material. These tubes are meant to hold color filters and protect from shattered glass on flourescent lights. Be sure to get the T8, the larger size is almost too big but you might prefer it. I thought it would obstruct too much of my view of the road.
The next step was to roll up the cue sheet and place it in one end of the tube. Then hold it up against the handlebar to mark the length with a Sharpie.
The picture is a little dark but you should get the idea.
Now the next trick is cutting the tubing. It's best to make an initial cut about six inches away from your mark. This gets rid of excess tube and allows you to get a feel for the final cut at the mark. I used large ktichen shears and think they will work best. Be careful not to crimp the tubing as you cut. Sharp large shears should prevent this from happening. Remember, you have some extra tube if you mess up. Just mark out another section from the excess tubing from earlier.
Here is the tube cut with a cue sheet inside and it's plastic ends stuffed on. The Velcro and plugs are next.
Here I removed the end caps and glued the plugs in place. I will use the plugs to keep rain out but ride most of the time with them in the gear bag but close at hand.
Next I cut four small pieces of Velcro and stuck two of them on the tube ends at opposite sides. I did this to help prevent slipping and to make mounting on the bike easier. The holder is now ready for the bike.
Two Velcro wraps that touch the glued on Velcro and then wrap around the bar hold the tube in place. Clean and simple the cue sheet holder is ready to ride.
It took me about 20 minutes to finish the project. The holder does not change my view of the road as far as I can tell. I can see about 6 cues at a time before I need to give the tube a slight roll. Changing the sheet position is easy, you just pull out the sheet and adjust the rolled sheet to what you want to see next and stick it back in the tube.